Harare SMART City Watch

24/04/2025

𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗜𝘁𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗭𝗜𝗧𝗙.

By Sani Mbofana

The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) is currently underway in Bulawayo, with various local authorities, including Harare City Council, exhibiting their products and services under the theme "Industrialization".

Harare City Council's participation in the trade fair is a strategic move aimed at showcasing the city's industrialization efforts, attracting investment, and promoting its services.

Harare City Council is highlighting its plans to upgrade and expand its water and sewer infrastructure, with a focus on rehabilitating its water treatment plants, improving water distribution networks, and enhancing wastewater management systems. This will ensure a reliable supply of clean water to residents and industries, supporting the city's industrialization efforts and improving public health.

The city council is also showcasing its road infrastructure development plans, aimed at upgrading and expanding its road network to facilitate trade and commerce. Harare City Council is seeking partnerships with investors and international companies to help develop its transportation systems, including intelligent transportation systems (ITS), traffic management, and urban planning.

In the area of housing, Harare City Council is promoting its plans to develop new housing projects, providing affordable and decent housing for its residents. The city council is seeking partnerships with investors and developers to help address the city's housing shortage.

In addition to these critical areas, Harare City Council is also showcasing its other services, including waste management, public health, and education. The city council's participation in ZITF provides a unique opportunity for it to promote its services, attract investment, and partner with other stakeholders to develop the city.

According to Mr. Stanley Gama, Harare City Council's Corporate Communications Manager, "Our participation in ZITF is a deliberate effort to showcase our city's potential for investment and growth. We are confident that our industrialization efforts, coupled with our commitment to providing quality services, make Harare an attractive destination for investors and businesses."

The benefits of exhibiting at ZITF are numerous. It provides a platform for Harare City Council to showcase its industrialization efforts, attract investment, and promote its services. It also provides an opportunity for the city council to network with other stakeholders, including investors, businesses, and other local authorities.
Harare City Council's participation at ZITF is a strategic move aimed at promoting its industrialization efforts, attracting investment, and partnering with other stakeholders to develop the city. By showcasing its services and development plans, the city council is positioning itself as a hub for trade and commerce, and a destination for investment.

24/04/2025

The Mayor of Harare Cllr Jacob Mafume has suggested that The city increases its parliament for council to generate more money. He said this during a strategic meeting with City Parking and Business Committee.

23/04/2025

His Excellency, President has sworn in members of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and the Defence Forces Service Commission (DFSC). The members are as follows:

Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission
1. Shelton Dube
2. Chido Madiwa
3. Zalerah Hazvineyi Makari
4. Obson Matunja
5. Betty Wenjere
6. Patrick Tendai Mukorera
7. Kindness Paradza
8. Meme Rumbidzai Zvimba.

Defence Forces Service Commission
1. Charles Cleophas Murongazvombo
2. Mevis Gonde
3. Okay Mabhena
4. Peddie Mugoba
5. Patricia Sarah Bwerinofa
6. Chipo Sheila Rose Mahere

19/04/2025

Chimwe chinhu chichatiuraya imsg yepay frm bank, Unoita seuchapindura message yacho kuti ndiyo yese here🤣🤣🤣🤣🤦‍♀️

17/04/2025

UNICEF and Zimbabwe's Parliament Join Forces to Protect Children's Rights

Harare, Zimbabwe - The Parliament of Zimbabwe and UNICEF on Tuesday, officially signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize and strengthen their collaboration in promoting the rights and wellbeing of children and women in Zimbabwe.

The MoU, which was five years in the making, includes Zimbabwe Institute Board, Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association, and Veritas. It reflects a shared commitment to deepening engagement on critical issues affecting children and to building a more structured and impactful partnership between the two institutions.

While there have been collaborations in the past on various initiatives such as capacity building, policy dialogue, and advocacy, this agreement now provides a clear framework for joint planning and implementation.

“The signing of this MOU marks the beginning of a renewed journey of cooperation. We affirm our shared commitment in building democratic, inclusive and accountable parliamentary ecosystem ,” said Speaker of the House of Assemblies, Advocate Jacob Mudenda.

Through this partnership, the institutions will work together to support evidence-based policymaking, improve oversight and accountability for child-focused budgets and legislation, and enhance citizen participation in national development processes.

“Through its legislative and oversight functions, Parliament has the power to influence policies, budgets, and programmes that directly impact the lives of children. This partnership will ensure that children’s voices and needs are placed at the heart of national decision-making processes,” said UNICEF Representative, Etona Ekole.

The agreement also builds on the momentum created by the establishment of the Child Rights Caucus and Parliament’s ongoing work to promote girls’ education, access to sanitary products, and efforts to eliminate corporal punishment in schools.

A joint workplan outlining key areas of collaboration has been developed and will guide efforts over the next two years. This workplan will be co-funded by both institutions and will focus on delivering practical, measurable outcomes for children across Zimbabwe.

17/04/2025

New Initiative Aims to Improve Child Health, Nutrition, and Community Resilience in Zimbabwe

Harare, Zimbabwe – The Government of Japan provides support, in partnership with UNICEF, UNDP, WFP, and UNOPS, to the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe, and have launched five transformative projects under Japan’s 2024 Supplementary Budget and the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD).

These initiatives aim to strengthen maternal and child health, prevent malnutrition, modernize medical waste management, enhance food security, and harness digital innovation to empower families and communities.

Collectively, they will directly benefit over 86,000 people and reach hundreds of thousands more through digital platforms and life-saving messaging.

The Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Zimbabwe is pleased to support the valuable work of the United Nation (UN) agencies in their efforts to address critical development challenges in Zimbabwe.

Japan has provided a total of approximately USD 6,950,000 in funding to the four UN agencies. UNICEF has received approximately USD 2,450,000 for two important projects, while UNDP has been allocated with roughly USD 1,500,000 to support its initiatives.

WFP has received approximately USD 800,000, and UNOPS has been granted roughly USD 2,200,000 for its project.

The funding underscores Japan’s ongoing commitment to Zimbabwe’s development, focusing on areas such as health and nutrition, poverty alleviation, food security, and infrastructure.

Japan is confident that these efforts will contribute significantly to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and improving the lives of Zimbabweans.

This support follows Zimbabwe’s worst drought in decades in 2024, which resulted in 7.6 million people being projected to face food insecurity in 2025, along with high levels of wasting and stunting among children.

Compounding the crisis, the country endured a cholera outbreak that affected thousands. The outbreak underscored the urgency of improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, especially in drought-affected and remote areas.

UNICEF is collaborating in two projects. First is the RISE initiative, featuring Bebbo 360—a mobile parenting app offering real-time, evidence-based guidance from pregnancy through early childhood.

The app will be adapted for Zimbabwean users with local languages, offline access, and personalized content.

The second project tackles child wasting in drought-hit Mbire District. Thousands of caregivers will benefit from community-based support groups, improved health and nutrition services, and access to clean water and vital information.

These initiatives align with Japan’s commitments under the Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Compact.

UNOPS is spearheading a comprehensive response to Zimbabwe’s medical waste management challenges. The project includes the procurement and installation of three high-temperature, smokeless medical waste incinerators in Harare and Bulawayo.

Designed to meet WHO and ISO standards, these incinerators will serve approximately two million residents. They are expected to significantly improve safe disposal practices, reduce environmental hazards, and build long-term technical capacity through training and technology transfer.

UNDP, in partnership with the Japan SDGs Innovation Challenge, is piloting AI and drone-based solutions to control Quelea birds, which are a major threat to Zimbabwe’s small grain harvests.

This environmentally friendly, tech-driven approach supports innovation, policy dialogue, and new livelihoods through collaboration with government, private sector, and research institutions.

The Government of Japan is also supporting WFP’s Lean Season Assistance programme. Through this contribution, WFP will provide three months of critical in-kind food assistance to over 17,000 people in rural communities severely affected by the El Niño-induced drought.

This initiative directly addresses food insecurity and malnutrition during a period when Zimbabwe is facing its worst drought in decades.

These collaborative efforts reflect Japan’s continued leadership in health, innovation, and climate resilience, as well as its longstanding partnership with the UN system to address both emergency needs and long-term development goals.

Japan has consistently provided humanitarian and development assistance to Zimbabwe, including during the COVID-19 pandemic and for infrastructure development in the health and education sectors.

11/04/2025

Harare West Member of Parliament speaks…

11/04/2025

The President has appointed Evelyn Ndlovu as the minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife. Albert Nguruvhe has been appointed as the Minister of State for Matabeleland South.

11/04/2025

Today President Mnangagwa commissioned the new Mbare Musika Market.

“On its part, my government will continue to improve the ease of doing business, through reducing barriers to entry, as well as streamlining business registration, licensing and compliance levies. Dialogue with the SME sector is an essential building block for enhanced business productivity. There should not be ‘a them and us’ mentality. Government and the sector must act as one, for the good of our motherland, Zimbabwe,” said President Mnangagwa

10/04/2025

Norton MP Richard Tsvangirai has released a statement saying he did not receive any land after his name appeared on the list of legislators allocated residential stands by govt.

10/04/2025

HARARE - Transport and Infrastructural development Minister Felix Mhona, Minister of State Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs and devolution Charles Tavengwa and other officials today conducted a tour to assess road rehabilitation in Glen view, Harare.

📰- StarFM

09/04/2025

African Leaders Urged to Act on Child Rights

MASERU, LESOTHO - The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) has called for urgent action to protect children's rights in Africa.

The appeal was made during the 45th Ordinary Session of the ACERWC, held in Maseru, Lesotho.

Delivering a statement on behalf of Equality Now, Mrs Sally Ncube, the Southern Africa representative, highlighted the need for accelerated efforts to address critical issues affecting children on the continent.

These include female ge***al mutilation (FGM), child marriage, and sexual exploitation.

According to Mrs Ncube, female ge***al mutilation remains a significant concern, with several countries yet to pass laws banning the practice.

"Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Somalia are among the countries with high FGM prevalence that have yet to pass laws banning the practice," she said.

Child marriage is another pressing issue, with recent cases highlighting the need for urgent action.

In Somalia, an 8-year-old girl was married to an adult man, sparking widespread outrage.

Sexual exploitation and abuse are also on the rise, with a surge in detected cases of trafficked children in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Mrs Ncube urged member states to implement human trafficking and child protection laws fully and ensure designated national institutions are adequately resourced.

The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) has recommended that member states take concrete steps to address these issues.

These include developing and enforcing re-entry to school policies for pregnant girls, improving budgetary allocations for education, and providing comprehensive sexuality education and SRH information and services.

The committee also called for strengthened laws and regulations to protect children from all forms of sexual violence.

In response to the appeal, African leaders are expected to prioritize children's rights and take concrete steps to address the critical issues affecting them.

Equality Now is a non-governmental organization advocating for women's and girls' rights globally. They focus on issues like FGM, child marriage, and sexual exploitation, pushing governments to implement policies protecting these vulnerable groups and their work aims to create a more equitable society, ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all.

08/04/2025

Mbare Musika new market is now up and running…

Yesterday The Minister of Local Government Hon Garwe, Minister of State Hon Tavengwa, Minister of Youths Hon Machakaire, Harare Mayor Cllr Jacob Mafume, council and government officials yesterday had a familiarization tour at the newly built Mbare Musika Market. The Minister and the Mayor applauded the contractors for a job well done.

📸- Chelsea Mashayamombe

07/04/2025

Mayor Cllr Jacob Mafume leads the spraying programme at the apartments in Mbare which are infested with bed bugs (tsikidzi). The spraying programme started this morning.

📸Chelsea Mashayamombe

31/03/2025

What they are saying vs whats on the ground‼️

31/03/2025

Harare looks deserted this morning

📷 | NewsDay-Zimbabwe

26/03/2025

22/03/2025

Kirsty Coventry has been elected the new International Olympic Committee President. The Zimbabwean is a two-time Olympic swimming champion and the first woman as well as the first African to hold the post. At 41, she’s also the youngest ever IOC president.